Abigail Reagan Media

Author: Abigail Reagan

  • Baptism by Fire: The Bay of Biscay

    Baptism by Fire: The Bay of Biscay

    There’s something profound about the bonds formed through true misery.

    Not the “misery” of getting through a challenging spin class, or the stress of meeting the deadlines of a demanding professor. Before joining this race I had not realized the inconsequence of my daily misgivings – how truly privileged I was to complain about my occasional “miserable” experiences.  

    Gale force conditions will change a mindset. Knowing, not just hypothetically speaking, that your life is in real danger at every moment puts a lot into perspective. Hitting 60+ knots of wind, 17-foot waves, rain so thick you can’t see the bow, and water hitting with such strength that it sweeps off your feet and washes you into the guard netting of the boat – it just might actually kill you.

     My introduction to offshore ocean racing was, in the kindest of terms, a baptism of fire. Sailing from Portsmouth, UK to Puerto Sherry, Spain by way of the Bay of Biscay proved to be much more intense than I had anticipated. They say the strongest bonds are formed through trauma, well if that’s true: my team and I are the best of friends after only one week.

    It’s hard to explain how a group of complete strangers can go from “so where are you from?” to sobbing in their arms in a span of 36-hours. From feeling out whether you’ll get along, to trusting them implicitly after placing my life in their hands.

    The rush of adrenaline setting your blood on fire after being forced off your feet by a 4m wave crashing over the boat – I couldn’t help but laugh wildly into the sheets of rain. I’m not sure I’ve ever, in my entire life, felt more alive.

    It’s Hell. It’s Euphoria. It’s extreme highs and lows and tears of joy and sobbing that you can’t do this and delirious giggle fits and bone-tired pain peppered with deep purple bruises and grown men crying and hugging that we made it through to the end. And knowing you’re about to do it all over again – for weeks.

    Hopefully, the worst of the forecast is behind us, and the next four weeks of crossing the Atlantic Ocean will be champagne downwind sailing. But delusions aside, I know we’ll face increasingly blazing temperatures and dying winds towards the Equator and experience a different kind of unpleasant bonding experience fragranced with Yankee Candle’s newest scent: no showers and four-week-old-socks.

    It’s a surreal feeling, to predict and expect hardship and still remain exhilarated by the lifestyle. How lucky am I to experience something so unique, and to walk away with a renewed appreciation for life’s small joys. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.

    Wish me fair winds and following seas,

    Abigail Reagan

  • Pursuing a Dream

    Pursuing a Dream

    My heart has always craved extreme adventure, and lately that pull is steering me towards a journey that intertwines the thrill of offshore sailing with the art of storytelling.

    My dream is to become an offshore journalist and sports media creative, and sailing as a crew member in the 2025-26 Clipper Round the World Race is the perfect opportunity to dip my toe in the water, literally. The Clipper Race symbolizes endurance, teamwork, and the awe-invoking beauty and power of the ocean. Packed with my aptitude for weaving the written word, and enough sunscreen to smother a small village, and I am ready to embrace the challenges ahead to turn this vision into a reality.

    After only two weeks of race training so far, my cautious interest has developed into a all-consuming obsession for the thrilling, high-stakes environment of ocean dwelling. Beyond the skillset I learned, the friendships already formed, and the weeks (WEEKS!) it took to get my hands to stop peeling and become soft again, the thing that most excited me about was the untamed feeling of freedom and unchecked curiosity when surrounded by nothing but sea and stars.

    At the heart of this aspiration is a desire to grow – both personally and professionally – by challenging myself in unfamiliar territory.

    Though I’ve spent some time on boats throughout my life, my largest concern was the vast amount of unknown information in regard to how I, personally, would respond to offshore life. Do I even like sailing? What if I don’t get along with my crewmates? What if I get seasick? Turns out, I do! but the overwhelmingly positive experience I walked away with after two weeks left me smiling for days on end, unable to quit yapping about time aboard.

    To prepare for my race, I’ve interviewed 9 renowned sailing media journalists, gathering insight and advice from talented experts to help guide my course. I’ve immersed myself in sailing by learning the ropes (or as sailors call them- lines) through intense, hands-on training in an offshore setting. I’ve confused Planet Fitness employees, when I showed up for the first time ever after 5 months of already paying for a gym membership. Now I’ve – grudgingly – been spending more time exercising than ever, developing muscles I wasn’t even aware existed.

    Beyond gaining practical knowledge and fitness, my aim is to refine my storytelling and photography skills by practicing, learning from experts, and absorbing as much content as I can from those who inspire me. And that’s where you come in, Dear Reader, as I strive to grow my portfolio and share my journalistic aspirations with the world.

    My goal is not just to document my race, but to take a leap and set off on a lifechanging adventure that so few would dare to experience.

    Every great dream begins with a single step, and I am ready to chart a course toward mine with passion, hard work, and of course, a wild sense of adventure. I hope you’ll follow along as I work to turn this passion into a full-fledged career.

    xx – Abigail Reagan